CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Detectives in Chillicothe are investigating the case of a 17-year-old undocumented immigrant who was allegedly living in the back of a local restaurant.

According to reports obtained by the Guardian, the Chillicothe Police Department was contacted by a dietician at Adena Regional Medical Center. The hospital employee told authorities that a 17-year-old teen was being treated at the facility for severe stomach pain. The dietician was brought in to create a further treatment plan that included changes to the teen’s diet. That is when, reports read, the teen said he was in the “US illegally, and had been so for 3 years.” The teen reportedly went on to say “that he could not afford to make changes to his current diet, because he was working at a restaurant, but instead of being paid, he received free food.”

Detectives said the teen’s medical chart had his address listed as 646 Central Center, which is Los Mariachis Mexican Restaurant. The teen was released from the hospital on his own shortly after.

Ross County Child Protective Services was contacted by the hospital, who was concerned for the teen’s safety and went looking for him. Reports state a CPS investigator “went to Los Mariachis using a language service on her phone, and made contact with an employee, who claimed that he knew the teen, and met him a month ago, but did not know how to contact him.” The investigator also spoke with a manager who said that the teen had taken a bus to Missouri and had not been at the restaurant for some time.

Eventually, investigators located the teen safely, and during an interview the 17-year-old told detectives that, “his family is in Mexico, and he came to the US around five months ago illegally.” He went on to say that he “stayed with his cousin in Missouri for several months before coming to Chillicothe, and was living with friends.”

Local homeless prevention advocate Maloree Preston said that while the situation appears to be tragic on the surface, people will take care of their own.

“I’ve heard that before. When (another place) was remodeling for quite some time they were very good about letting our local homeless stay in the rear of the building,” she said. “Personally, I’m glad someone helps them. It’s better than having homeless people out and about for others to see to throw a fit about or possibly committing crimes to get food and other items needed.”

The Guardian left a message for Chillicothe Mayor Luke Feeney, who did not return a request for comment.

City Council President Joe Gerringer said he was concerned about the allegations.

“This is the first that I have heard of such allegations. My biggest concern would be for those individuals’ safety and appropriate compensation for employment,” he told the Guardian on Friday.

According to health department inspection reports, the restaurant has received several critical violations during their recent health inspection. The violations ranged from flies in the kitchen, meat not being properly prepared or thawed, food items without labels or dates, and raw meat thawing on vegetables.

“No complaints regarding an employee living in the facility have been reported to RCHD,” said health commissioner Garrett Guillozet. “The environmental health specialist did not note or observe anyone living in the facility at the time of the inspection.“

The case remains under investigation.